Sunday, September 29, 2013

Day 26 Saturday September 28, 2013

Today we drove from Phoenix to Sedona.
The drive today didn't start well as we decided to get a peek at Downtown and got caught up on the wrong side of a highway and almost ended up where we had started the day! The traffic volumes out of Phoenix north were very high, we did not expect the roads to be so busy.

As we left Phoenix and started to ascend the mesa to the north of the city we were treated to the amazing sight of a forest of Saguaro cactus. They are the largest cactus in the US and only grow in the Sonoran Desert. The cactii with arms are over 50 years old as they don't develop the arms until they are between 50 and 70 years old! 
Saguaro cactus

First view of the red rocks of Sedona
We arrived in Sedona at about 12:30pm and tried to check into our hotel, but the room was not ready. The lady behind the desk was very nice and gave us lots of ideas on where to pass the time.

However, the first thing on the agenda was lunch and Ginny Alger had recommended that we lunch at the Enchantment Resort, so off we went. Wow, what a place, surrounded by cliffs and canyons of red rock! 
Chimney Rock

En route to Enchantment Resort

Cheers Ginny 





We had a great lunch and then set off to visit the locations suggested by the front desk lady.

First stop was the airport which gave us commanding views across Sedona. Then we drove down the scenic highway 179 towards I17; we made a quick detour down Back of Beyond Rd and then stopped at the Rock Chapel on the way back. Impressive views abound and one house stood out while we were at the Chapel, apparently the home of the guy who invented Lasik Surgery.
Sedona from the airport

Bell Rock

Courthouse Rock

Chapel of the Holy Cross

Lasik inventor's house, a little over the top, me thinks!
Then a quick stop at the grocery store for supper items and back to the hotel to check in. Our room has a balcony and while we sat outside having a late afternoon cuppa the rocks put on an awesome display before the sun set and all turned to darkness.


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